**Maple Leafs Trade Proposal: $8.8 Million Defenseman for Mitch Marner**
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has been rumored to be on the trade block this summer, with the Vegas Golden Knights emerging as a potential destination.
Vegas lost key forwards Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson in free agency, prompting speculation that Marner could be a target to strengthen their offense. PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to create their own trades, and one user proposed a deal sending Marner to Vegas for defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, among other assets.
**Maple Leafs Receive:**
– Alex Pietrangelo
– William Karlsson
**Golden Knights Receive:**
– Mitch Marner
– Timothy Liljegren
This 2-for-2 trade appears beneficial for both teams on paper. Toronto would enhance their defense with Pietrangelo and add offensive depth with Karlsson, who scored 60 points last season and has three years remaining on his $5.9 million per season contract.
Vegas would acquire Marner, a dynamic offensive player who could complement Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. They would also gain Liljegren, a former first-round pick who could help fill the gap left by Pietrangelo. Liljegren signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Toronto but remains a trade candidate.
Pietrangelo has three years left on his $8.8 million per season contract and a full no-movement clause, requiring his approval for any trade.
**Insider Links Marner to Golden Knights**
With Marner entering the final year of his contract, he has been a frequent subject of trade rumors, especially after Toronto’s early playoff exit. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman linked Marner to the Golden Knights due to their defensive surplus, which could attract Toronto.
Friedman noted on June 12 that Vegas’s smart management would likely be interested in Marner. Popular trade speculations involved Shea Theodore, but the PuckPedia user proposed Pietrangelo instead. Logan Thompson, another rumored trade piece, was dealt to the Washington Capitals during the NHL draft.
**Maple Leafs Coach Excited to Work with Marner**
Despite the trade rumors, newly-hired Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expressed enthusiasm about coaching Marner.
“He’s a character guy, a great person,” Berube said on June 29 after the 2024 NHL draft. “I’m looking forward to coaching him.”
However, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving provided no updates on a potential Marner trade, stating, “No update on Mitch. As I’ve said, I’m not going to do play-by-play. Mitch is a great player. We’re lucky to have him.”
Marner scored 26 goals and 59 assists for 85 points in 69 games last season and has expressed a desire to stay in Toronto.
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